Drop bottom container having latch means therefor



Dec. 15, 1964 c. JOHANSSON 3,161,300

DROP BOTTOM CONTAINER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 27, 1965 O "l O 0 INVENTOR. CARL E. JOHANSSON ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 c. E. JOHANSSON DROP BO TTOM CONTAINER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 27, 1963 INVENTOR CARL E. JOHANSSON jagalfag ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 c. E. JOHANSSON 3,161,300

DROP BOTTOM CONTAINER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFOR Filed Feb. 27, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG. 5

3V7}??? IO cm.-

i g-j INVENTOR CARL E. JOHANSSON i 43 BY .70 7 8. Jay

ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 c. E. JOHANSS ON 3,161,300

DROP BOTTOM CONTAINER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFOR Filed F'eb. 27, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. 8 CARL E. JOHANSSON ATTORNEYS Dec. 15, 1964 c. E. JOHANSSON DROP BOTTOM CONTAINER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Feb. 27, 1963 INVENTOR. CARL E. JOHANSSON ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,161,309 DRGP BGTTQM C(ENTAENER HAVING LATCH MEANS THEREFGR Carl E. .lohansson, Cleveland, Uhio, assignor to The Youngstown Steel Door Company, Cleveland, Ohio,

a corporation of @hio Filed Feb. 2'7, 1963, filer. No. 261,377 ill Qlaims. (Cl. 214 l) This invention relates to containers for transporting bulk materials, and more particularly to containers of the drop bottom type.

Containers of the general class herein illustrated are designed to function as receptacles for bulk material during transportation of the material from one point to another. Transportation of the material is usually effected by means of trucks transporting the loaded containers to and from a railroad terminal. Upon reaching the destination point, the containers are removed from the trucks or railroad cars either by cranes or fork lift tucks with the cranes or fork lift trucks being used to maneuver the loaded containers to the appropriate position Where the material carried by the containers is to be used. Upon attaining this position, the trip mechanism for the drop bottom container is actuated and the material is deposited.

In the conventional drop bottom containers actuation of the trip mechanism has required that an additional man be present other than the crane operator or fork lift truck operator so as to be available to actuate the tripping mechanism to dump the contents of the container. Alternatively, the operator of the crane or fork lift truck was required to dismount and operate the trip mechanism for the drop bottom container and then re-- mount the machine to remove the container. Such an arrangement has occasioned considerable inconvenience. This inconvenience is multiplied when a container with multiple sections and doors is utilized. With a multiple section container, the usual approach has been to provide a single tripping mechanism for each section, thus requiring the operator to empty each section of the container individually.

It is an object of this invention to provide a drop bottom container that is convenient to operate.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a container that provides a latch tripping mechanism designed to be easily accessible to either a fork lift truck operator or acrane operator.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a latch tripping mechanism for a drop bottom container that may be utilized to simultaneously empty all sections of a multi-section container.

It is another object of this invention to provide a drop bottom container that includes a latch tripping mechanism having release actuating means remote from the latch location.

It is -a further object of this invention to provide a drop bottom container with hinged bottom discharge doors having a latch mechanism releasably maintaining the doors in closed position and a release device remote from said latch mechanism, but operatively connected thereto.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a drop bottom container having hinged bottom discharge doors with a latch maintaining said doors in closed position and a spring bias release cable operatively connected by a shaft to the latch mechanism for operation of the figurations. The preferred embodiment includes a latch pivoted on the container and engaging the free edge of a hinged bottom closure to retain the closure in closed position. A shaft is rotatably mounted in the container and includes a crank carrying a roller operatively engaging a roller on the latch. A spring biased release cable is secured at one end to the shaft with the other end of the cable accessible from the exterior of the container. Upon actuation of the release cable, the shaft is rotated causing rotation of the crank to release the latch and allow the weight of the material in the container to pivot the latch and release the bottom closure.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends the following description sets forth in detail selected embodiments of the invention. Such disclosed means are not meant to be limiting, being but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be used.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a prospective view of a suitable container wherein the invention may be utilized;

PEG. 2 illustrates in fragmentary plan view one of the lifting hook means illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial side elevation, partly in section, of the lower portion of the container illustrating the instant invention;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial end elevation, partly in section, show ing the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 illustrates the invention utilized in a different type of drop bottom container;

PlG. 9 is a partial end elevation showing, partly in section, a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. it) is a plan view of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a partial side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 9.

Turning to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 16 indicates generally one type of container in which the invention may be utilized. It should be understood that the particular configuration of the container is immaterial so long as a hinged bottom closure is being utilized. The container 19 includes side walls 11 and 12 and end walls 13 and 14, with each of these walls terminating at a point above the bottom of the container. Corner angle members l5, 16, 17 and 18 secure adjacent marginal edges of the walls by means of rivets 19 or the like. Lifting hooks are provided at each corner. 7 Y

The base of the container is formed by side and end angles 21, 22, 23 and 24, with the ends of each angle being secured to the corner angles. At the lower terminus of each of the side and end walls there is provided structure comprising a discharge hopper. The discharge hopper comprises inwardly directed slope sheets 25, 26, 2'7 and 23 connected to the side and end walls 11, l2, l3 and 5.4, respectively. As may be viewed in FIG. 7, each of the slope sheets are secured by rivets 29 to the-lower terminal portion of its associated wall and includes a depending vertical portion 36, 31, 32 and rectangular discharge opening.

The rectangular opening formed by the depending legs of the slope sheets is adapted to be closed by a conventional hinged door. As shown in FIG. 5, the door 34 is pivotally received on pins 35 carried-by the container. At the side of the door, opposite tofthe hinges, there is provided a pair ofidenticallatch mechanisms indicated generally by the reference numerals 36a and 35b. Each of the latch mechanisms are-of the general configuration as that shown in my prior US. Patent No. 2,697,002, issued on December 14,1954. I

Adjacent to the slope sheet 25 and-acting as reinforc ments therefor are plates 37, 38 and 39, as. Each of the 33 defining a I the pulljrin g 67 th a I V I causing rotationgo thevi shaft 53." This rotation? ofv the." 1 -sha fll3.wl f amps 69, J",andland ftlie second shaftj56 L 1 A biasingkforce in the formo tached .at one end "thereof 7 plates 37 and 38 and a cover plate 42 is associated with shaped member 43. The hookshaped member 43 includes" spaced apart jaws 44 and 45, with the lower "jaw 44 functioning to support the door 34 in closed position. The latch 43 is pivotally mounted on a pin 46 carried by the associated plates 37 and 38. A bushing 47 is interposed between the pin 46 and the latch 43. j

At the upper end of the latch is formed a fork portion 48 of the latch receiving a pin 49. On the pin 49 isreceived a roller 50 with a bushing interposed between the pin and the roller. A second roller is carried by. the latch on a fork portion of the upper jaw 45wherein a pin 51 rotatably receives the roller 52. I parent, as shown in FIG. 7, that with thedo'o'r in closed position and the lower jaw44 of the latch 43 supporting the door, the weight ofjthe material in the container will exert a force downward on the door which in turn will tend to rotate the la tch in a clockwise direction around pin 46. 1

Turning now controlling the tendency of the latches to rotate and release the door closure. Thecontrolling means comprises a shaft/53 having one end journalled in a bearing 54 in A third short stub shaft 59 is journalled in the plate 49.

The adjacent ends of shafts 56 and 59 function in-an identical manner so only one latch mechanism, 3 6 a will be discussed in detail. Mounted on adjacent ends'of such that they are situated contiguous to the roller 59.

A pin 62ainterconnects the two. crank arms ottfand 61. with a roller'63 .journalled on-the pin. 'Due. to the' relationship of, the crank arms 60 and 61 and theldiameter of the roller 63, the roller 63 is in rolling engagement with the roller'50'ca'rried bythe latch 43. This is clearlyillustrated in FIG. 7. It "may be seenjthatjwith the crank arms in the .position shown in FIG. 7, the roller'63 abuts the roller 50 and "serves as, a means for restraining the It "is believed apv to FIG. 4, there are illustrated means for" V the 'shafts 53 and 56 are crank arms 60 and 61, respectively. V j The crank arms are securedby ins 62 for rotation with the shafts 531and '56. The configuration, of the crank arrrlszf60 imam is V 4 drum to its original position.' The other end of the helical spring is secured to a pin '71 carried on a plate 72 secured to the container. As a means of limiting the return biasing effect of the spring 69,}an angle 73 is secured to the side wall 14 and the plate 72' and is so positioned to cooperate with a flange portion 74 on the segmental drum 64. V

By virtue of the latch and release mechanism shown, the container would be used inthe following manner. Assuming the container is filled with material, the material would exert a force downward on the bottom closure 34which in turn would act through jaw 44 on the latch 43 tending to rotate the latch'43 in a clockwise direction.

However, the helical spring [69 has biased the drum 64 to roller 63 is positioned to restrain this clockwise movement.

a position wherein the shaft 53, is rotated such that the A fork lift truck operator would then transport the loaded container to the position wherein the material is to be utilized. Upon reaching this position, the operator of v tents of the container.

I the pull ring positioned directly 'over the latch, it was necessary for the fork lift operator to dismount or a second person to operate the pull ring'inasmuch as'th'e pull ring was inaccessible to an operator seated on: the, vehicle.

- xUpon pulling the'pull ring 54 to, the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6, the "segmental drum 64. will be rotated against the spring bias of the helical spring 69 L thereby rotating the shaft 53.; f Rotation of the shaft 53 will alsorotate the c'rank arms 60' and-61 and the additional shaft 56, which in turn'will cause rotation of the 'crank arms associated with the second r'eleasemechanism 36b. Rotationof the crank arms 60 and '61 willfcause the roller 63 to roll around the periphery ofrthe roller't),

that is, in a counterclockwise .directiomas viewed inJ FlG. 7. When the roller 63 has reached a point vertically above the pi'n 46 the restraining force ofthe roller '63 on the clockwise. movement of the latch 43 will then be reclockwise rotation of the latch 43 to thereby retain the J bottom closure in closdposition. I 1 a a In order to empty the container, it is necessary to re move, the roller 63 from the. position. s'hown'in FIG; 7 s so that the door is free to pivotthe latch'43 to a position where it no'longerirestrains theopening of thedo'or; This is accomplished by'means ofalspring biased release-f mechanism Thefrelease mechanism comprises" a? segcable 66L L' The cable, eXtendsaroun-dthe periphery of the drum and has'at the end oppositeat'othe bolt iconnectedj 7 end a pull ring 67. The pull ring fiTis'received inacup shaped member'68 ,which is secured" toJthe side' angle16 I and is easilyfacces'sible for operation of'the release mechanism. g

It is believed "en rant p lli g egnientaltgdruml sagwin be rotated,

ll in; turn cause-{rotation segmental drum .65 V g g "latch-43 is being pivotedcounterclockwise, the roller moved; Due to the force ofithe material in the container exerted on-the'door 34 the latch '43 will be pivoted-in a clockwise direction and the door 34 will bepivoted about the pin 35 thereby'emptying the contents of the container. To cushion the movement of'the doorfinthe opening operation, acushioning member 75 is secured to the door 34 and adapted to co-operate with a bevelled surface 76 73 -will" cooperate with theflange 74 to limit the return movement-under the bias-of the spring 69. 'As the shaft 53 is rotated back to its initial"positionathe crank arms, will causetheroller .63to attempt to return to its initial position; however, the'latch 43;,is .nowin a position pivotedclockwiseffrom the position 'shown' in FIG. 7 and V i "therollerj63rwill be restrained by roller from returnmental drum or: actuating arm "64:. secured to. the shaft 53.; e 1 j v "ing 'toits position.

Attached to the segmentaldrum .by'a bolt 6 5is a flexible Up'on lowering of the; container to the floor, the door 3 4,will be-pivoted back toa closingposition. As .it is Tbeing pivoted. to this. position, the upper surface ofthe rdooriwillfengage the roller 52.onthe' latch 43- and cause .the l latch 43 to be'pivoted in a counterclockwise direc- 'tion. I This is shown in-dotted linesinFIG." 6. As the 63 will' roll overthe-peripherylofthe'roller 50 causing is effected. Also, through utilization of a shaft to connect the release mechanism to the latch, it is possible to then couple several latches in series, all being operated from the same release mechanism. The simultaneous actuation of a series of latches is particularly advantageous in the container illustrated in FIG. 8. in this container separate bins 7'7 and '78 are provided, each having a separate discharge opening 79 and 30. Using two latch mechanisms per door closure, it is obvious that a single release mechanism to simultaneously operate each of these latches is much more preferable than an individual release mechanism for each latch.

Turning to the embodiment of the invention illu trated in FIGS. 9 to 11, there is disclosed a container 31 which is comparable to the container shown in FIG. 1, but of a slightly different configuration. The container 81 includes lifting hooks 82 and a frame con struction similar to the previously described containers. A door closure 83 and a latch and release mechanism similar to that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,697,002 is also used. Thus, the releasemechanism 84 is directly associated with the latch device 85, as may be viewed in FIG. 11.

Modifying this basic structure, however, there has been added a shaft 86 having one end coupled to the conventional pull ring release mechanism 84, with the other end of the shaft journalled at 87 on the corner angle. Secured to the shaft 86 is a segmental drum 88 to which is attached a flexible cable 89. The cable 89 is passed around a guide 9% carried on the frame of the container and passes through a channel member 91. The channel member is secured vertically to the side of the container and is in communication with an opening 92 in the top apron of the container. A pull ring 93 is secured to the end of the cable 89.

With the arrangement shown in FIG. 9, either of the pull rings 34 or 93 may be actuated, depending upon the location of the operator of the transporting vehicle. Thus, the conventional pull ring 84 may be operated to release the latch 85 and dump the contents of the con tainer, or the pull ring @3 may be actuated in which case the segmental drum 88 would be rotated in a direction rotating the shaft 86, which in turn would, in a manner described above, release the latch.

It should be understood that the precise location of the pull ring is immaterial and dependent solely upon the position that is most convenient for the operator. Thus, the pull ring might be positioned on the side of the container, as Well as the top or on the side angle, and, in fact, might be positioned below the container if this were conveniently necessary. Also, pull rings both at the top and at a side angle might be utilized.

It is not my intention that the illustrated embodiments, nor the terminology employed in describing them, be limiting inasmuch as variations in these may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, but rather are desired to be restricted only by the scope of the appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. A transportation container for bulk materials hava discharge opening in the bottom thereof,

a hinged door adapted to close the discharge opening,

a substantially hook shape latch member for said door pivotally mounted on said'container,

the hook portion of said latch member being adapted to engage the underside of the swing end of said door,

a roller at the upper end of said latch member,

shaft means rotatably mounted on said container,

crank means carried by said shaft means for rotation therewith,

a roller on said crank means engageable with said roller on said latch member for maintaining the latter in latching engagement with said door,

a segmental drumsecur'ed to said shaft means at an end remote from said crank means,

biasing means fastened to said drum and said container, and

manually operable means fastened to said drum for imparting rotation thereto, against the action of said spring, whereby the roller on said crank means rolls over the rolier on said latch member to allow pivoting movement of said latch member and permit opening movement of said door.

2. A container for bulk materials having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof,

a door hingedly carried on said container and adapted to close the discharge opening,

latching means pivotally mounted on said container,

said latching means being adapted to maintain said door in a position closing the discharge opening,

shaft means rotatably mounted on said container,

roller means carried by said shaft means and being operable to retain said latch means in latching engagement with said door,

latch releasing mechanism remote from said latch means and being operatively connected to said shaft means for controlling said roller means,

said latch releasing mechanism including,

manually operable means for rotating said shaft thereby to release said latch means and permit opening movement of said door.

3. A container for bulk materials having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof,

a hinged door adapted to close the discharge opening,

latch means pivotally mounted on said container and adapted to retain said door in closed position,

said latch means being movable between a latching position and a door releasing position,

shaft means rotatably mounted on said container,

roller means carried by said shaft means in engagement with said latch means to retain the latter in latching position,

latch releasing mechanism associated with said shaft remote from said roller means and including,

manually operable means for imparting rotation to said shaft means to thereby move said roller means relative to said latch means and permit said latch means to pivot to a door releasing position and spring means associated with said latchreleasing mechanism operable to return said roller means to a position maintaining said latch means in a door releasing position.

4. A transportation container for bulk materials havmg,

a discharge opening in the bottom thereof,

a door pivotally secured to said container and adapted to close the discharge opening,

latch means pivotally mounted on said container,

said latch means being movable between a position latching said door in closed position and a door releasing position,

shaft means extending between said latch means and one corner of said container,

a roller in abutting engagement with said latch means andh secured to said shaft means for rotation therewit releasing mechanism attached to said shaft means at said one corner of said container,

spring means secured to said release mechanism and maintaining said shaft and said roller in a position wherein said latch means is retained in a door closing position,

manually operable means associated with said release mechanism and being operable to rotate said shaft and said roller against the bias of said spring where by said roller is removed from the position retaining said latch means in the door closing position and to thereby permit opening movement of said mounting said manually operable means on at one corner thereof. V y

- 6. A transportation container for bulk materials having, V r I a discharge opening in the bottom thereof,

said container a door pivotally attached to said container andadapted to close the discharge opening,

a latch member having a roller at one end thereof pivotally mounted on said container, 7 said latch member being movable between adoor latch,

ing position and a door releasing position,

alatch releasing mechanism disposed in one corner arms'is in abutting engagement with said roller on said member, 7 a manually operable flexiblemeans. secured to said drum and extending externally of. said container whereby actuation-ofsaid manual means, rotates said :drum

againstthe bias offsaid biasing means causingrota tion ,ofisaid shaft and crank arms, whereby: saidanemoning.

roller on fsaid crank arms rolls over said roller on; said latch means to effect release of isaid latch:

means and permit opening movement of said door. 7. In a container for bulk'materials having a discharge opening in the bottom thereof;

a door piyotally'attached to. said container and adapted to close the discharge opening; r

a latch member ,pivotally mounted intermediatefits'end on the container'adjacent the free edge of said door; said .latch member being. movable between a door latching position and a door releasing position;

a roller mounted orrone' end of said latch member; shaft means rotatably mounted on said container with a portion of said. shaft means being adjacent said latch member; I I

said shaft'means being coaxial with said roller when said latch member is in a door latching position; crank'means secured to said portion of said shaft means for rotation therewith; H roller means mounted on said crank means and be: ing aligned with saidsroller on said latch member for rolling contact thereagainst; one end of said shaft means terminating at one, corner of said, container; w spring means operatively associated with said' shaft means and normally biasing said shaft means, crank means and' roller means to a position wherein said rollerrneans engages said roller on said latch memand manually operablelmeans operatively connected 1 with saidfone end-of said shaft means and being operable to'rota'te said shaft means against the bias of said spring means.- a I 8. The container, of claim 7 wherein an accessvopenring is provided in one corner of said container, with said manually operable means projecting through the open! 9. The channel member: opening upwardly of said container, with said manually operable means being received in I said "channel and 'projectingoutwardly of the container;

" 10; The -container of claim 9 and further including additional manually operablemeans associated with said by. either; ofsaid' manually operable means.

References Citedin the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS V I 2,017,970 -:Hol zer -Oct. 22, 1935 12,697,002 Johansson' Dec. 14, 1954 container of claim 7 which includes a vertical 

1. A TRANSPORTATION CONTAINER FOR BULK MATERIALS HAVA DISCHARGE OPENING IN THE BOTTOM THEREOF, A HINGED DOOR ADAPTED TO CLOSE THE DISCHARGE OPENING, A SUBSTANTIALLY HOOK SHAPE LATCH MEMBER FOR SAID DOOR PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID CONTAINER, THE HOOK PORTION OF SAID LATCH MEMBER BEING ADAPTED TO ENGAGE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE SWING END OF SAID DOOR, A ROLLER AT THE UPPER END OF SAID LATCH MEMBER, SHAFT MEANS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID CONTAINER, CRANK MEANS CARRIED BY SAID SHAFT MEANS FOR ROTATION THEREWITH, A ROLLER ON SAID CRANK MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID ROLLER ON SAID LATCH MEMBER FOR MAINTAINING THE LATTER IN LATCHING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID DOOR, A SEGMENTAL DRUM SECURED TO SAID SHAFT MEANS AT AN END REMOTE FROM SAID CRANK MEANS, BIASING MEANS FASTENED TO SAID DRUM AND SAID CONTAINER, AND MANUALLY OPERABLE MEANS FASTENED TO SAID DRUM FOR IMPARTING ROTATION THERETO, AGAINST THE ACTION OF SAID SPRING, WHEREBY THE ROLLER ON SAID CRANK MEANS ROLLS OVER THE ROLLER ON SAID LATCH MEMBER TO ALLOW PIVOTING MOVEMENT OF SAID LATCH MEMBER AND PERMIT OPENING MOVEMENT OF SAID DOOR. 